People Expo events are back, providing dairy farmers with unique opportunities to better understand workforce dynamics, and ideas on actions they can take to find and keep great people.

DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network are partnering to deliver four People Expo events in the Northland, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu-Whanganūi and Southland regions throughout March 2024.

DairyNZ lead advisor for people, Jane Muir, will be MC for the events.

She encourages farmers to join the People Expo events to hear about what is needed to tackle the big employment issues on farm.

“Supporting great workplaces and people on farm is critical. We want to support farmers with credible evidence and practical solutions that help them find and keep the staff they want,” explains Jane.

“These People Expos are opportunities to connect with other farmers facing similar challenges, while guest speakers and workshops provide inspiration and practical tips you can apply with your farm team.”

“I encourage farmers to attend, as I think everyone will take something positive away from these events that is directly applicable to their farm.”

A range of guest speakers headline the People Expos including Waikato dairy farm owners Sue and David Fish, focusing on their ethos of teamwork, and Chris Parsons, chief commercial officer of MyFarm, sharing his story of teamwork and leadership, in a varied career including time in the NZ Defence Force.

Guest speaker Shamubeel Eaqub, a leading economist, will discuss global, national, and regional economic and workforce changes and outline why farm businesses must act differently and look in new places to stay successful.

“The global and political backdrop for farmers is increasingly unpredictable, affecting interest rates, dairy price, and the input costs of critical things, like feed and fertiliser,” says Shamubeel.

“This makes businesses and farming more unpredictable, and we cannot influence these things. However, we can influence how we lead and manage our businesses.

“Part of this is around our most important resource, our people, who are in short supply but demanded from every sector. I’m looking forward to sharing practical ways for us to think differently as leaders, and to act differently as a sector, along with having insightful discussions with farmers.”

The People Expos are free for dairy farmers and their team to attend. For more information and registration visit dairynz.co.nz/peopleexpo.

People Expo event information:

Northland

Wednesday 13 March 2024

9:30am – 2:30pm

Barge Park, Whangarei 

Southland

Tuesday 19 March 2024

9:30am – 2:30pm

Ascot Park, Invercargill 

Manawatū-Whanganui 

Tuesday 26 March 2024

9.30am – 2.30pm 

Bush Multisport Park, Pahiatua 

Bay of Plenty

Wednesday 27 March  

9.30am – 2.30pm 

Millennium Hotel, Rotorua 

For more information and registration visit dairynz.co.nz/peopleexpo